Low powered activation arrangement and method thereof

ABSTRACT

A fabric product includes a body having a skin made by interweaving a plurality of textile fabrics and a low powered activation arrangement which includes an electronic unit and one or more conductive threads extended underneath the skin of the body. The electronic unit includes a power source, an activation circuit which is a low powered activation circuit, and an operator. Each of the conductive threads has a proximal end portion electrically coupled with the activation circuit and a distal end portion which is extended to an outer surface of the skin of the body at a predetermined location thereof and is arranged in such a manner that when the distal end portion of the conductive thread is being contacted, the activation circuit is activated to actuate the operator.

CROSS REFERENCE OF RELATED APPLICATION

This is a Continuation application that claims the benefit of priorityunder 35U.S.C.§119 to a non-provisional application, application Ser.No. 12/584,763, filed Sep. 11, 2009.

BACKGROUND OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

1. Field of Invention

The present invention relates to a low powered activation arrangement,and more particularly to an activation arrangement especially for a toy,which is able to be touched to activate an electronic device.

2. Description of Related Arts

An electronic device normally has a switch or button electricallyconnecting to a CPU of the electronic device for operating purpose, suchas turning on or off, or selectively starting a function of the device.The switch commonly needs to be pushed, pressed, upwardly and downwardlyflipped to operate the on-and-off mannered switch. For example, theconventional lever type switch is arranged to be operated by flickingthe lever.

In order to relatively more convenient to activate the electronicdevice, another touch panel type of switch is adapted for operativelycontrolling the electronic device. Thus, the electronic device is ableto be actuated by simply touching the touch panel. The touch panel iscommonly using a conductive panel, so that when human is touching theconductive panel, the resistance of the circuit is changed by the humantemperature, touching pressure, or the likes, to send out the activationsignal.

No matter the traditional switches or the touch panel switches, thereare still lots of drawbacks that need to be overcome, so that theelectronic devices are able to be flexibly incorporated with varietypurposes. One of the significant shortages is the rigidity of theswitches. They tend to be bulky and/or solid in comparison of electronicdevices. Therefore, those switches occupied a significant volume of theelectronic device to make the electronic device relatively larger andreduce the portability thereof, so as to limit the application of theelectronic device.

Another dramatic shortcoming of current switches, no matter thetraditional switches or touch panel switches, is that the switches haveto link to a CPU of the electronic device via a plurality of wires. Inorder to safely accommodate and organize those wires, a substantiallyrigid casing is normally provided for storing those wires. Therefore,the electronic device barely has flexible shape for more applications.

The rigid switches electrically connected to the CPU by the wiresusually cause another concerning issue. The displacement between theswitches and the wires reduces the stability of the performance of theelectronic device. After using the electronic device a while, theconnection of the switches and the CPU is loosing to affect the functionof the electronic device.

Take a toy incorporated with the electronic device for instance. Thetoy, especially designed for kids, needs a relatively higher safetyrequirement and higher durability since the kids may easily throw, fall,or break down the toy. The connection between the switch and the wiresfor manipulating the toy by the kids normally lacks of the sturdiness,so that makes the toy tends to be easily broken. The wires distributedwithin or around the toy increase the risks of the kids being hurt byaccidentally pulling out the wires, such as got electric shock.

For those electronic toys having a plurality of functions commonlyencircled by a solid casing, such as the piano toy. The rigid casing mayhit the kids and cause dangers while the kids are playing with the toy.Some toys encircling the electronic device with soft textile materialsmay be relatively safer. However, the wires distribution within the softtoys, such as plush dolls, limits the function of the electronic device.The switches, such as the pushing bottoms, are hard to incorporate withthe theme of the toy to provide a relatively better interaction betweenthe toy and the kids.

Furthermore, the electronic toys especially for kids are usually notwashable. After being played by the kids for a while, the textiletextured toys are dirtied or have a great amount of bacteria thereon dueto the kid may chew the toy or put it on the ground. It will increasethe possibility of the kids getting sick. The wires disposed within thereceiving pocket of the toy may also bring the dangers to the kids whilethey are pulling the wires when the pocket of the toy is opened.

SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

An object of the present invention is to provide a low poweredactivation arrangement, which is able to be activated without anyswitches.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low poweredactivation arrangement, which is arranged to be touched to activate theactivation arrangement without disposing wires for electrically linkingto an activation circuit, so as to increase the safety.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low poweredactivation arrangement, wherein the conductive threads are flexible andwashable textile texture.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low poweractivation arrangement, which could be activated by contacting with thedistal end portion of the conductive thread.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a low poweredactivation arrangement, wherein the conductive threads effectivelyreduce the energy lose during linking to the electronic unit.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric productwith a low powered activation arrangement, wherein the flexibility ofthe skin of the body is relatively increased.

Another object of the preset invention is to provide a fabric productwith a low powered activation arrangement, wherein the fabric product iswashable, so as to keep the fabric product clean.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a fabric productwith a low powered activation arrangement, wherein the distal endportions of the conductive threads are able to form a part of the skinof the body.

Accordingly, in order to accomplish the objects of the presentinvention, a fabric product comprises:

a body made of a plurality of textile fabrics interweaving to form askin of the body; and

a low powered activation arrangement, which comprises:

an electronic unit comprising a casing, a power source received in thecasing, an activation circuit electrically connected to the powersource, and an operator being actuated when the activation circuit isactivated; and

one or more conductive threads fastened with the textile fabrics of thebody, wherein each of the conductive threads has a proximal end extendedto the activation circuit and a distal end which is extended to an outersurface of the skin of the body at a predetermined location and isarranged in such a manner that when the distal end of the conductivethread is being contacted, the activation circuit is activated toactuate the operator.

These and other objectives, features, and advantages of the presentinvention will become apparent from the following detailed description,the accompanying drawings, and the appended claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a fabric product with a low poweredactivation arrangement according to a preferred embodiment of thepresent invention, illustrating the distal end portions of theconductive threads on the skin of the fabric product.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the fabric product according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating theconductive threads extending through the body of the fabric product.

FIG. 3 is a partially perspective view of the conductive threadaccording to the above preferred embodiment of the present invention,illustrating the distal end portions of the conductive threads forming apart of the skin of the fabric product.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the conductive thread according to theabove preferred embodiment of the present invention, illustrating theproximal end portions of the conductive threads electrically contactingwith the activation circuit.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the low powered activation arrangement ofthe fabric product according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a first alternative mode of the conductive thread forthe fabric product according to the above preferred embodiment of thepresent invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a second alternative mode of the conductive threadfor the fabric product according to the above preferred embodiment ofthe present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5 of the drawings, a fabric product according toa preferred embodiment of the present invention is illustrated, whereinthe fabric product comprises a body 100 and a low powered activationarrangement.

The body 100 is made by textile fabrics 102, which is preferablyinterweaving to form a textile article, to form a skin 104 of the body100. The means for interweaving the textile fabrics 102 may furtherrefer to any arts for manufacturing the textile article. As shown inFIG. 1, the body 100 is embodied as a stuff animal.

The low powered activation arrangement preferably comprises anelectronic unit 200 and one or more conductive threads 300 arranged toextend underneath the skin 104 of the body 100 and to electrically linkto the electronic unit 200.

As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, the electronic unit 200 comprises a casing202, a power source 206 being received in the casing 202, an activationcircuit 208 electrically connected to the power source 206, and anoperator 212 being activated when the activation circuit 208 isactivated. Accordingly, the activation circuit 208 requires a relativelylow power to be activated.

The conductive threads 300 has a proximal end portion 302 extended fromthe electronic unit 200 of the fabric product to electrically link tothe activation circuit 208, and a distal end portion 304 extended to anouter surface 106 of the skin 104 at a predetermined location, whereinwhen the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 is beingcontacted, the activation circuit 208 is activated to activate theoperator 212 of the electronic unit 200 of the low powered activationarrangement.

As mentioned above, the conductive thread 300 is formed by intertwininga plurality of conductive fibers 306 to form the conductive thread 300.The winding is the ways for bundling or weaving the conductive fibers306 to form each of the conductive threads 300, which may be achieved bymany different manufacturing processes or methods, in such a manner thatthe thickness of the conductive thread 300 is increased to apredetermined thickness to electrically link to the electronic unit 200to activate the operator 212 of the electronic unit 200.

According to the preferred embodiment, the conductive thread 300 isextended underneath the skin 104 of the body 100 from the electronicunit 20, wherein the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300is protruded out of the outer surface 106 of the skin 104 to form ahuman conductor for being contacted by human or the like. In addition,the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 is affixed atthe predetermined location on the skin 104 of the body 100, wherein theproximal end portion 302 of the conductive thread 300 is arranged to becontacted to activate the activation circuit 208, so as to activate theoperator 212 of the low powered activation arrangement. As one skilledin the art will readily appreciate that activating the activationcircuit 208 via the human contact is only one of the examples of thecontact methods. The distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300may also be contacted with the distal end portion 304 of anotherconductive thread 300 to activate the activation circuit 208.

It is worth to mention that the directly contact at the distal end 304of the conductive thread 300 requires no switches, such as button ortouch panel, to activate the activation circuit 208, so that nocomplicated connection between the switch and electrical connectinglines, embodied as conductive thread 300 in the present invention, isinvolved, so as to simplify the overall structure and enhance thestability of the performance of the operator 212 of the electronic unit200.

The distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 is affixed onthe outer surface 106 of the skin of the body 100 preferably bytightening a knot at the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread300, as shown in FIG. 3, so as to retain the distal end portion 304 ofthe conductive thread 300 at the predetermined location of the outersurface 106 of the skin of the body 100. It will be appreciated that thedistal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 may also beaffixed at the predetermined location of the skin 104 by a plurality ofways for fastening the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread300 at the outer surface 106 of the skin 104, such as weaving, knitting,braiding, stitching, sewing, interweaving, or spinning.

Accordingly, the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300may be bifurcated and protruded out of the outer surface 106 of the skin104 to increase a contact area of the distal end portion 304 of theconductive thread 300, so as to be easily and conveniently contacted foractivating the activation circuit 208. In the preferred embodiment, thefabric product is embodied as a plush product, such as plush doll, sothat the bifurcate conductive thread 300 at the protruding distal endportion 304 may camouflage at a part of the outer surface 106 of theskin 104, while enhancing the safety and simplifying the connection foractivating the activation circuit 208. In other words, the conductivefibers 306 at the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300are not intertwined to enlarge the contact area of the conductive thread300.

It will be appreciated by one skilled in the art that the conductivethreads 300 are metal threads or metallic-treated threads, such asthreads with electroplating thereon or stainless steel fibers (SSF), andhas a relatively high conductivity, such that using the conductivethreads 300 is able to achieve the low powered arrangement toincorporate with the fabric product of the present invention.Preferably, high conductive material is electroplated on the thread toform the conductive threads 300.

In the presently preferred embodiment, a fabric layer 308 may furtherprovided for operatively linking the proximal end portion 302 of theconductive thread 300 to a terminal of the activation circuit 208through an opening 204 of the casing 202 of the electronic unit 200.Accordingly, the fabric layer 308 is arranged for retaining theconductive threads 300 in position, wherein the conductive thread 300 isfastened on the fabric layer 308 from the proximal end portion 302 ofthe conductive thread 300 towards the distal end portion 304 thereof.Therefore, each of the conductive threads 300 may be fastened on thefabric layer 308 and arranged to link each of the distal end portions304 at the predetermined location of the outer surface 106 of the skin104 to a related terminal end of the terminal of the activation circuit208, so as to be touched to activate the operator 212 of the electronicunit 200. Accordingly, the fabric layer 308 forms a backing for theconductive thread 300 to guide the conductive thread 300 extending fromthe activation circuit 208 to the predetermined location of the skin 104of the body 100.

More specifically, the fabric layer 308 may further has two parts, anenlarged reinforcing portion 3081 for spacedly retaining the proximalend portions 302 of the conductive threads 300 to electrically couplewith the activation circuit 208, and a plurality of elongated guidingportions 3082 extended from the reinforcing portion 3081 for guiding theconductive threads 300 extending to the predetermined locations of theskin 104 of the body 100.

Accordingly the first reinforcing portion 3081 of the fabric layer 308is a fabric article for retaining or fastening the proximal end portion302 thereat to operatively connect to each of related terminal ends ofthe terminal of the activation circuit 208. The guiding portions 3082 ofthe fabric layer 308 are a plurality of elongated and bifurcated fabricsextended from the reinforcing portion 3081 of the fabric layer 308towards each of distal end portions 304 at each of the predeterminedlocations. Therefore, each of the conductive threads 300 is affixed toeach of the elongated fabrics, so as to be disposed underneath the skin104 of the body 100, while the distal end portions 304 of the conductivethreads 300 are fastened at the outer surface 106 of the skin 104 andthe proximal end portions 302 of the conductive threads 300 areelectrically connected to each of the terminal ends of the terminal ofthe activation circuit 208. Preferably, the conductive threads 300 arespacedly stitched on the fabric layer 308 to retain the conductivethreads 300 in position.

As will be appreciated that the conductive threads 300 arranged foractivating the activation circuit 208 to activate the operator 212 viathe fabric layer 308 is one of the ways for supporting and disposing theconductive threads 300 underneath the skin 104 of the fabric product.The conductive threads 300 may also be stitched, woven, sewn, braided,interwoven, knitted, or the likes, to extend at the skin 104 of the body100 at a position underneath the skin 104, or just directly dispose theconductive threads 300 underneath the skin 104. Furthermore, theelectronic unit 200 may be encircled by the textile fabric of the skin104 to form the fabric product in the preferred embodiment.

As shown in FIG. 4, in order to electrically couple the conductivethreads 300 at the fabric layer 308 with the terminal of the activationcircuit 208 of the electronic unit 200, a conductor panel 214 may befurther provided at a position adjacent to the opening 204 of the casing202 to electrically connect with the terminal of the activation circuit208 and electrically contacting with the proximal end 302 of each of theconductive threads 300, so as to operatively link the activation circuit208 with the conductive threads 300. As embodied in the preferredembodiment, the conductor panel 214 is contacted with the first part3081 of the fabric layer 308 at a position that the proximal ends 302 ofthe conductive threads 300 are sandwiched between the conductor panel214 and the terminal of the activation circuit 208, as shown in FIG. 4.In other words, the conductive threads 300 can be detachably coupledwith the activation circuit 208 by contacting the proximal ends 302 ofthe conductive threads 300 with the conductor panel 214. Likewise, theconductive threads 300 can be permanently coupled with the activationcircuit 208 by affixing the proximal ends 302 of the conductive threads300 at the conductor panel 214 such as welding.

Accordingly, the distal end portions 304 protruded out of the outersurface 106 of the skin 104 softly and flexibly become parts of theouter surface 106 of the skin 104, so that there are no extra elements,such as switches or control panels are needed to be fastened on theouter surface 106 of the skin 104, so as to easily distribute the distalend portions 304 to the desired locations. The fabric product preferablyadapts the flexible conductive threads 300, which is washable textiletexture, to arrange the activation way for activating the operator 212,so that no wires are required for electrically linking to the electronicunit 200, so as to enhance the safety of the fabric productincorporating with electronic device.

The textile texture of the conductive threads 300 not only overlyincrease the flexibility of fabric product, but also enhance thewashable ability of the fabric product. The washable conductive threads300 may allow the fabric product to be washed via detachably detachingthe conductive threads 300 from the electronic unit 200, so that theconductive threads 300 and the body 100 of the fabric product made fromthe textile fabrics 102 may be washable. Therefore, the fabric productis able to keep it clean, while enhancing the safety and simplifying theactivation way to activate the operator 212 of the electronic unit 200.

When the distal end portion 304 of each of the conductive threads 300 iscontacted, such as contacted via human touch as a human conductor, theactivation circuit 208 is activated to activate the operator 212. Then,the operator 212 generates an effect in responsive to each of the distalend portions 304 of the conductive threads 300. For example, when thedistal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 at a hand portion ofa plush doll of bear is being touched, a corresponding signal will besent to the operator 212 to generate a light or sound effect, such asclapping sound.

A digital storage may further provided to electrically connect to theactivation circuit 208, which pre-stored one or more programs togenerate different effects from the operator 212 in responsive to thecontact at each of the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread300 protruded out of the outer surface 106 of the skin 104. For anotherexample, when the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 atthe mouth of the bear is contacted via the human touch, the activationcircuit 208 electrically linked to the digital storage is activated tosend out a corresponding signal to the operator 212, so that theoperator 212 may generate the sound effect of a sentence, such as “Ilove a nice kiss from you”; when the distal end portion 304 of theconductive thread 300 at the belly of the bear, a corresponding effectof sound of “I love a nice bear hung from you” is generated from theoperator 212. Therefore, the fabric product may also enhance aninteraction between the human and the fabric product, such as the plushdoll.

Referring to FIG. 6 of the drawings, the fabric product according to thepreferred embodiment of the present invention is shown having analternative configuration of the body 100 and the distal end portions304 of the conductive threads 300. In the first alternative embodiment,the distal end portions 304 are preferably affixed on the outer surface106 of the skin 104 by knitting, stitching, sewing or the like toincrease the contact surface at the distal end portions 304, so that itis relatively easier to activate the activation circuit 208 to generatethe effects, such as light, sounds, voice, or the likes, from theoperator 212.

The fabric product, for example, may have a book shape, and the distalend portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 may be stitched on theouter surface 106 of the skin 104 having a shape corresponding to eachof the effect, such as an “A” letter is stitched on the skin 104 via thedistal end portion 304 of the conductive threads 300, so that when the“A” shaped distal end portion 304 is being contacted, such as beingtouched by human, an “A” pronunciation is generated, so as to educatethe kids while they are using the fabric book, and enhance the safety.In other words, the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads300 are protruded out of the skin 104 of the body 100 and are stitchedon the outer surface 106 of the skin 104 to increase a contact area ofthe distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 and tocamouflage as a part of the outer surface of the skin 100. In addition,when the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 arestitched on the outer surface 106 of the skin 104, the conductivethreads 300 will be retained in position.

The distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 can beretained or fastened to extend to the outer surface 106 of the skin 104by ways of stitching, knitting, sewing, or the like in variety ofconfigurations, so that each of the distal end portions of theconductive threads 300 is able to flexibly become parts of the skin 104of the body 100 and to form a plurality of shapes, figures, symbols, orthe likes, while increased the contacting area at the distal end portion304 of the conductive thread 300. Accordingly, the distal end portions304 fastened or retained on the outer surface 106 of the skin 104 mayalso become a part of decoration of the fabric product. It is worthmentioning that the conductive threads 300 are fastened on the fabriclayer 308 provides a flexibility to incorporate with the fabric book, soas to enable the fabric book to be folded without breaking theconductive threads 300.

In the present alternative of the preferred embodiment of the presentinvention, the electronic unit 200 may preferably received within areceiving pock of the fabric product to enclose the electronic unit 200therein, so as to decorate the fabric. It will be appreciated that theelectronic unit 200 may also be separated to electrically link to thebody 100 of the fabric product via the conductive threads 300 dependingon the function and design of each of the fabric product itself.

With reference now to FIG. 7 of the drawings, the fabric product isshown having a second alternative configuration of the body 100 of thefabric product and the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads300. The second alternative fabric product further comprises a firstfastener 310 and a second fastener 312 provided at the skin 104 of thebody 100 to detachably fastening two portions of the skin 104 or twoskins 104 of the fabric product. The distal end portions 304 of theconductive threads 300 are extended to the first and second fasteners310, 312 respectively and arranged when the first and second fasteners310, 312 are fastened with each other, the activation circuit 208 isactivated via the contact of distal end portions. Accordingly, thedistal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 can be stitched tothe first and second fasteners 310, 312 respectively to retain thedistal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 on the skin 104.

In the presently second alternative fabric product, which preferably hasan opening 314 having two opening edges, such as an opening of a bag, sothat the first and second fasteners 310, 312 are provided at the twoopening edges. The distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300are extended to the first and second fasteners 310, 312 respectively.When the first and second fasteners 310, 312 are fastened with eachother to close the opening 314, the distal end portions 304 of theconductive threads 300 are contacted with each other to activate theactivation circuit 208, and when the first and second fasteners 310, 312are detached from each other to open the opening 314, the distal endportions 304 are separated from each other to deactivate the activationcircuit 208.

The first and second fasteners 310, 312 may be a hook and loop typefasteners or snap buttons type fasteners for detachably detaching andattaching the first and second fasteners 310, 312, so as to activate anddeactivate the activation circuit 208. Accordingly, the distal endportions 304 of the conductive threads 300 can be integrally formed asthe hook and loop fasteners of the first and second fasteners 310, 312respectively. In other words, the hooks at the first fasteners 310 areformed by the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 andthe loops at the second fasteners 312 are also formed by the distal endportions 304 of the conductive threads 300 to detachably fasten with thehooks at the first fastener 310.

The effects generated from the operator 212 will be activated while theopening 314 is closed. For example, when the first and second fasteners310, 312 are fastened with each other to close the opening 314 of a bag,a light effect is generated via the operator 212 to form an illuminatingbag. It will be appreciated that the first and second fasteners 310, 312could be any types of fasteners for detachably fastening two or moreportions of the skin 104 or two or more skins 104 of the body 100.

In other words, the proximal end portions 302 of the conductive threads300 are electrically linking to the activation circuit 208 while therespected distal end portions 304 are contacted to each other to form aclosed circuit, in such a manner that the activation circuit 208 isactivate to activate the operator 212, so as to activate the operator212 of the electronic unit 200.

Accordingly, a method of manufacturing the fabric product with the lowpowered activation arrangement comprises the following steps.

(a) Interweaving a plurality of the textile fabrics 102 to form the skin104 of the body 100.

(b) Fastening one or more conductive threads 300 with the textilefabrics 102 of the body 100 to extend the distal end portions 304 of theconductive threads 300 to the outer surface 106 of the skin 104 of thebody 100 at the predetermined locations.

(c) Electrically connecting the proximal ends 302 of the conductivethreads 300 with the activation circuit 208 of the electronic unit 200,such as an electronic device. Therefore, when the distal end portion 304of the conductive thread 300 is being contacted, the activation circuit208 is activated to actuate the operator 212 of the electronic unit 200.

In the presently preferred embodiment, the step (b) of the methodfurther comprises a step of configuring the distal end portion 304 ofeach of the conductive threads 300 to protrude out of the outer surface106 of the skin 104 for being contacted, such as being contacted by ahuman touch as a human conductor, so as to activate the activationcircuit 208 to activate the operator 212.

Accordingly, the step (b) of the method may comprises a step of sewingthe distal end portion 304 of each of the conductive threads 30 on theouter surface 106 of the skin 104 to form a human conductor, such thatwhen the distal end portion 304 of the conductive thread 300 is touchedby a human body, the actuation is activated to activate the operator212.

Accordingly, the step (b) of the method may comprises a step ofconfiguring the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 toextend to the first and second fasteners 310, 312 at opening edges ofthe opening 314 of the body 100 respectively. When the first and secondfasteners 310, 312 are fastened with each other to close the opening314, the distal end portions 304 of the conductive threads 300 arecontacted with each other to activate the activation circuit 208. Thefirst and second fasteners 310, 312 may be fastened at two portions ofthe body 100 to detachably connect two portions of the body 100.

The step (c) further comprises a step of electrically connecting theconductor panel 214 to the terminal of the activation circuit 208, and astep of electrically contacting the conductor panel 214 with theproximal end portions 302 of the conductive threads 300 to operativelylink the activation circuit 208 with the conductive threads 300.

Accordingly, the step (c) may further comprises a step of spacedlyfastening the proximal end portion 302 of the conductive threads 300with the fabric layer 308 by the ways of interweaving, weaving, sewing,stitching, knitting, or braiding for retaining the proximal end portions304 of the conductive threads 300 in position so as to electricallycontact with the conductor panel 214.

One skilled in the art will understand that the embodiment of thepresent invention as shown in the drawings and described above isexemplary only and not intended to be limiting.

It will thus be seen that the objects of the present invention have beenfully and effectively accomplished. The embodiments have been shown anddescribed for the purposes of illustrating the functional and structuralprinciples of the present invention and is subject to change withoutdeparture from such principles. Therefore, this invention includes allmodifications encompassed within the spirit and scope of the followingclaims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A low powered activation arrangement for a fabricproduct having a body and a skin thereof, comprising: an electronic unitwhich comprises a power source, an activation circuit, which is a lowpowered activation circuit, electrically coupled with said power source;and an operator operatively linked to said activation circuit; and oneor more conductive threads extended underneath said skin of said body,wherein each of said conductive threads has a proximal end portionelectrically coupled with said activation circuit and a distal endportion which is extended on an outer surface of said skin of said bodyat a predetermined location thereof and is arranged in such a mannerthat when said distal end portion of said conductive thread is beingcontacted, said activation circuit is activated to actuate saidoperator.
 2. The low powered activation arrangement, as recited in claim1, wherein each of said conductive thread comprises a plurality ofconductive fibers intertwining with each other to form said conductivethread with a predetermined thickness.
 3. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 1, further comprising a fabric layerfor retaining said respective conductive thread in position, whereinsaid conductive thread is fastened on said fabric layer from saidproximal end portion of said conductive thread towards said distal endportion thereof, such that said fabric layer forms a backing of saidconductive thread to guide said conductive thread extending from saidelectronic unit to said predetermined location of said skin of saidbody.
 4. The low powered activation arrangement, as recited in claim 3,wherein said fabric layer has an enlarged reinforcing portion forspacedly retaining said proximal end portions of said conductive threadsto electrically couple with said activation circuit, and a plurality ofelongated guiding portions extended from said reinforcing portion forguiding said conductive threads extending to said predeterminedlocations of said skin of said body.
 5. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said electronic unit furthercomprises a conductor panel electrically coupled with a terminal of saidactivation circuit, wherein said proximal end portions of saidconductive threads are electrically contacted with said conductor panelto electrically link said conductive threads with said activationcircuit.
 6. The low powered activation arrangement, as recited in claim4, wherein said electronic unit further comprises a conductor panelelectrically coupled with a terminal of said activation circuit, whereinsaid proximal end portions of said conductive threads are electricallycontacted with said conductor panel to electrically link said conductivethreads with said activation circuit.
 7. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said distal end portion ofeach of said conductive threads is arranged for protruding out of saidskin of said body in a bifurcating manner to increase a contact area ofsaid distal end portion of said conductive thread and to camouflage as apart of said outer surface of said skin.
 8. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 4, wherein said distal end portion ofeach of said conductive threads is arranged for protruding out of saidskin of said body in a bifurcating manner to increase a contact area ofsaid distal end portion of said conductive thread and to camouflage as apart of said outer surface of said skin.
 9. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said distal end portion ofeach of said conductive threads is arranged for protruding out of saidskin of said body and stitching on said outer surface of said skin toincrease a contact area of said distal end portion of said conductivethread and to camouflage as a part of said outer surface of said skin.10. The low powered activation arrangement, as recited in claim 4,wherein said distal end portion of each of said conductive threads isprotruded out of said skin of said body and stitching on said outersurface of said skin to increase a contact area of said distal endportion of said conductive thread and to camouflage as a part of saidouter surface of said skin.
 11. The low powered activation arrangement,as recited in claim 1, wherein said distal end portions of saidconductive threads are adapted for extending to a first fastener and asecond fastener provided at two opening edges of said body respectivelyand arranged when said first and second fasteners are fastened with eachother to close said opening, said distal ends of said conductive threadsare contacted with each other to activate said activation circuit, andwhen said first and second fasteners are detached from each other toopen said opening, said distal ends of said conductive threads areseparated from each other to deactivate said activation circuit.
 12. Thelow powered activation arrangement, as recited in claim 4, wherein saiddistal end portions of said conductive threads are adapted for extendingto a first fastener and a second fastener provided at two opening edgesof said body respectively and arranged when said first and secondfasteners are fastened with each other to close said opening, saiddistal ends of said conductive threads are contacted with each other toactivate said activation circuit, and when said first and secondfasteners are detached from each other to open said opening, said distalends of said conductive threads are separated from each other todeactivate said activation circuit.
 13. The low powered activationarrangement, as recited in claim 1, wherein said conductive threads aremetallic-treated threads having relatively high conductivity.
 14. A lowpowered activation method for a fabric product having a skin, comprisingthe steps of: (a) locating one or more conductive threads extendedunderneath said skin of the fabric product, wherein each of saidconductive threads has a proximal end portion and a distal end portion;(b) electrically coupling said proximal end portion of each of saidconductive threads with an activation circuit of said low poweredactivation arrangement; (c) guiding said distal end portion of each ofsaid conductive threads to extend on an outer surface of said skin at apredetermined location thereof; and (d) contacting said distal endportion of said respective conductive thread on said outer surface ofsaid skin to activate said activation circuit so as to actuate anoperator of said low powered activation arrangement.
 15. The method, asrecited in claim 13, wherein the step (a) further comprises a step ofintertwining a plurality of conductive fibers with each other to formsaid conductive thread with a predetermined thickness.
 16. The method,as recited in claim 15, wherein the step (c) further comprises a step offastening said conductive threads on a fabric layer for retaining saidconductive threads in position, wherein said fabric layer forms abacking of said conductive threads to guide said conductive threadsextending from said electronic unit to said predetermined locations ofsaid skin.
 17. The method, as recited in claim 16, wherein said proximalend portions of said conductive threads are spacedly stitched at anenlarged reinforcing portion of said fabric layer to electrically couplewith said activation circuit, while said conductive threads are stitchedat a plurality of elongated guiding portions of said fabric layer forguiding said conductive threads extending to said predeterminedlocations of said skin.
 18. The method, as recited in claim 17, whereinthe step (b) further comprises a step of electrically contacting saidproximal end portions of said conductive threads with a conductor panelwhich is electrically coupled with a terminal of said activationcircuit, so as to electrically link said conductive threads with saidactivation circuit.
 19. The method, as recited in claim 14, wherein thestep (c) further comprises a step of guiding said distal end portion ofeach of said conductive threads being protruded out of said skin in abifurcating manner to increase a contact area of said distal end portionof said conductive thread and to camouflage as a part of said outersurface of said skin.
 20. The method, as recited in claim 14, whereinthe step (c) further comprises a step of stitching said distal endportion of each of said conductive threads on said outer surface of saidskin to increase a contact area of said distal end portion of saidconductive thread and to camouflage as a part of said outer surface ofsaid skin.
 21. The method, as recited in claim 14, wherein the step (c)further comprises a step of guiding said distal end portions of saidconductive threads to first and second fasteners respectively, whereinwhen said first and second fasteners are fastened with each other toclose an opening of said fabric product, said distal ends of saidconductive threads are contacted with each other to activate saidactivation circuit, and when said first and second fasteners aredetached from each other to open said opening, said distal ends of saidconductive threads are separated from each other to deactivate saidactivation circuit.
 22. The method, as recited in claim 14, wherein saidconductive threads are metallic-treated threads having relatively highconductivity.
 23. The method, as recited in claim 21, wherein saidconductive threads are metallic-treated threads having relatively highconductivity.